Durham cops looking to catch kids in the act ... of kindness

Future Aces program 'tickets' positive behaviour

Durham cops looking to catch kids in the act ... of kindness

Jeff Mitchell / Metroland

WHITBY -- Julian, a Grade 8 student at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic school in Whitby, was ticketed by Durham police Constable Angie Sitaram as Bernie Carnegie looked on. The school was the siteDecember 14 of the launch of the Future Aces program, which will see officers handing out tickets to young people caught in the act of demonstrating positive behaviour. The program is based on the philosophy of Ms. Carnegie's late father, Herb Carnegie, who became famous for breaking hockey's colour barrier in the 1930s. December 14, 2012.

DURHAM -- Cops in Durham are stepping up their efforts to hand out tickets to kids. And that's a good thing.

Durham police have signed up to participate in the Future Aces program, an initiative that sees young people acknowledged for positive behaviour. Young people observed performing acts of courtesy, kindness and otherwise solid citizenship are handed "tickets" that acknowledge their good works, and include coupons for popular restaurants and other services.

It's a chance to create positive interactions among police officers and young people and to reinforce values among young citizens, said Constable Angie Sitaram, an elementary school liaison officer who suggested DRP participate.

"I love the idea of catching kids in the act of doing something positive," Const. Sitaram said during a ceremony to launch Future Aces at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School in Whitby.

"We want to have their experiences with police officers be positive ones; it will help build trust and relationships," Const. Sitaram said.

"And it enhances positive behaviour."

The Future Aces program is founded on the philosophy of Herb Carnegie, the son of Jamaican immigrants who in the 1930s strove to break hockey's colour barrier. Following his playing career, Mr. Carnegie established one of Canada's first hockey schools and was a tireless advocate for youth.

His Future Aces Creed embraced principles like sportsmanship, tolerance, respect and self-esteem. Mr. Carnegie died in March this year.

During last week's launch, Mr. Carnegie's daughter Bernice told children at St. Luke's they hold the key to a positive and peaceful future.

"It doesn't matter who you are, you can achieve," she told an exuberant audience in the school gymnasium.

"You are the leaders of the future," Ms. Carnegie said. "You are the people who are going to make the changes that maybe some of us adults didn't make."

Jeff Mitchell is the justice reporter for Metroland Media Group in Durham Region, Ontario.